National Close the Gap day on Tuesday 18 September was celebrated at more than 300 events across the nation. The events received extensive coverage from the media including on CH 10, the ABC and SBS, local radio and press in many places across the country.
Recent profit announcements from Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and other mining majors riding the wave of demand for minerals from China and India suggest the ride isn’t likely to be over any time soon. However not everyone is benefiting from riding the mining wave.
Campaigners alarmed at the 17-year life gap between Aboriginal and other Australians have called on the nation’s leaders to heed a petition signed by over 80,000 Australians, unveiled today (September 18) to mark Australia’s first ever National Close The Gap Day.
ALTHOUGH the consensus from APEC was that much had been achieved, this feeling may not be shared by many of the people who live throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Carteret Islanders Ursula Rakova and Bernard Tunim begin their speaking tour of Australia.
Yesterday’s announcement by Australian-based Emperor Mines Limited to sell the Tolukuma Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea should include a commitment to sell the asset to a purchaser that will work with communities to alleviate impacts and maximize benefits as well as stop the practice of disposing of mine waste in rivers.
International agency Oxfam is concerned that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Head of State meeting in Sydney tomorrow will fail to kick-start an ambitious plan to tackle climate change.
Six years ago this week a Norwegian cargo ship named the Tampa sparked a diplomatic dispute between Australia, Norway and Indonesia as well as worldwide controversy when it came to the aid of 438 asylum seekers whose dilapidated fishing boat started to sink 85 nautical miles off the Australian territory of Christmas Island.
Internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player and composer William Barton and co-lead singer of Brisbane’s multi-platinum selling Australian jazz/rock/pop combo, George, now turned soloist, Tyrone Noonan, will join this week to sign the Giant Pledge supporting ‘Close the Gap’ ‘ a major national effort to end the health crisis facing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Six years ago this week a Norwegian cargo ship named the Tampa sparked a diplomatic dispute between Australia, Norway and Indonesia as well as worldwide controversy when it came to the aid of 438 asylum seekers whose dilapidated fishing boat started to sink 85 nautical miles off the Australian territory of Christmas Island.